Setting the Stage

So I'm setting the stage for my glorious God
Getting all eyes ready
Getting hearts ready
I'm not the star of this show
But the star is on the way
Are you ready?
It's going to be so good
When He shows up
You'll be amazed
Delighted
and filled with wonder
Oh His beauty will overwhelm you
The joy He brings will bubble up and overflow
You will tickle all over with laughter
Your heart will be filled
bursting with hope
Oh it will be so good
Are you ready?
I'm setting the stage for the Glorious One
He's getting ready to appear
I know you're getting antsy
Everyone stay in your seats
You don't want to miss this
He's coming soon
he's getting ready to open up the windows of Heaven
His vast treasure store
He's getting ready to rescue
To provide
To comfort
To solve unsolvable problems
To break the unbreakable
To answer the cries
of the helpless
of the hopeless
of the desperate
of the heartbroken
of the forgotten
of those held captive
You see all these challenges set the stage
Are you ready?
He's coming
Don't miss out on this
Sit on the edge of your seat
with eager expectation
He's getting ready to appear
I'm just one of His servants
preparing the way
for His coming
Get ready
Are you excited yet?
Are you like a little kid on christmas morning?
Unable to sleep because you know something good is coming?

I am.

He's coming
soon!

Overwhelmed

There are times when I become overwhelmed with my limitations. All the can'ts seem to fly at me at lightening speed from every direction. When all my failure seem to sit and judge me. When needs seemed piled up as high as Mt. Everest. And my inability to fulfill these needs are quite apparent. It can paralyze me, and cause me to give up all hope. Except that.... when I think of how I can't, I remember that God can. What a wonderful opportunity for my King to reveal Himself to be limitless, powerful, and completely able to meet every need. So instead of hiding in a corner sucking my thumb, I go before my King with boldness, knowing that He has everything I need. Everything. And He willingly supplies every single need in abundance. He witholds NO GOOD THING from me. His timing and His wisdom is perfect. He considers ever possible option, and chooses the best option. The one that brings me the Highest possible good. He chooses the perfect option for me, and every other person affected. And the option He chooses reveals His majestic glory.

I need only to ask my Father.

To trust.

To wait.

To receive.

Oh Lord, my time is limited. My plate is full with so much to do and I can't juggle it all. There are so many needs. I don't know what to do. The problems mount up seemingly against me. So many are looking at me, depending on me. I'm just a woman. I need your help. My body is weak, and there are unknown problems going on inside of me. But you see them. You are greater than all these things and my eyes look to you.

Oh mighty God, reveal yourself and rescue me! Swoop down in royal fashion and deliver me from the waves that threaten to drown me. I'm doomed unless you come.

I'm calling.

I'm waiting.

Come Jesus, Come.

My New King

I've been rescued from the Kingdom of Darkness
I now pledge my allegiance to a new King.
A Righteous, Holy, perfect and loving King
A King that brings only good
A King that is generous and kind.

The old king was a tyrant.

The old king hated me
The old king lorded his power over me
oppressed me
belittled me
and used fear to keep me submissive and weak.
He does this to all of his citizens.
He is a liar.
He made big and bold promises in order to trap me, but once I surrendered myself to him, he immediately accused me,
bringing guilt and shame.
His rules brings hopelessness and despair.
It is a life that is no life.

It is death.

His citizens are the walking dead.
Empty
Lifeless
hopeless
pressed down under the extreme weight of his tyrannical rule.

But I've been set free!

And My new King loves me!
I'm free!

I've been given life that is full
complete
satisfying
I've been given hope that does not disappoint.
I've been given love that is free,
flowing
and abundant.

I've been given  power--
an All-surpassing power
to rule with the King.

I've been given an extravagent supply of gifts with the promise of more,
with NO END in sight.
His gifts are FAR BEYOND my capacity to imagine or understand

He gives and gives and gives.

Every word that comes out of His mouth is true.
I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again
He loves me,
And He is my friend.
I trust this King,
and I gladly and willingly give my life to serve Him.
For serving Him brings utter joy
and the deepest satisfaction
I am satisfied in ways I never even imagined.

It is so good!!!!!!!!

Believe in Yourself?

I just realized something.  It goes along with my last post.  I trust in my perceptions more than I trust God.  I trust what I see, what I feel, what I hear, what I think, more than God's word.  Why do I do that?  It seems foolish as I ponder it.  How many times have I misinterpreted what I see?  How many times have I misunderstood what someone has said?  How many times have I misheard someone, or come to the wrong conclusion?  MANY TIMES!!!!!  Yet I still have faith in ME.  (I'm hearing the song: Believe in yourself as I believe in you... lyrics @ the end of the post) I say to myself, "God I don't know if your word is really true for me, because I see something different and I trust my eyes more than your words."  Well... I don't really say that, but my actions communicate it.

Have you done that as well?

God promises that He will NEVER leave nor forsake us.  But their are times when I feel forsaken and left by God.  And I ask the question, "God where are you?"  (Don't get me wrong, God wants us to be open about our feelings, so if you feel that way, ask the question.)  At that moment, what I feel takes precedence over what God has said.  I believe He's left me, because I don't FEEL his presence.  So I'm trusting in my feelings rather than His words.

His words are trustworthy, not my feelings.
He is trustworthy.

He promises to meet ALL OF MY NEEDS.  I don't need to spend one second worrying about needs.  But I worry all of the time about needs.  Why?  Because it doesn't look like my needs are being met. I don't know how my needs will be met.  The provision I have doesn't look like enough, so I worry or try to "figure it out".  Most times I do both.  Worry, pray and try to figure it out on my own.  Rather than resting in His promises.  If He said he would provide, I can trust Him.  Then I'm free to do His work:  seeking the kingdom and His righteousness.  When I trust Him, I can thank Him with the "not enough", and the "not on time" (not on my time), and the "not the way I expect".

I can trust that His ways are always perfect.
He's always acts at the proper time.
He's moving, even when I don't perceive anything.
He CANNOT fail.
He loves me for more than I can ever imagine.
He always brings about the HIGHEST good in my life.
He has the full capacity to execute every one of His promises.  In fact, it's easy for Him!
I cannot figure Him out or what He's doing, but I can trust His heart.  He loves me.

No more believing in ME, for I fail myself and others over and over and over and over again.  (At least, I'm consistent. ) But He NEVER fails me.   Instead...

I think I'll Believe the Words of the Most High God.

The song sums up the lie of believing in yourself quite well.  Have you believed these lies as well?

Believe in Yourself

(charlie smalls)

If you believe
Within your heart
You’ll know that no one can change
The path that you must go
Believe what you feel
And know you’re right because
The time will come around
When you’ll say it’s yours

Believe that you can go home
Believe you can float on air
Then click your heels three times
If you believe
Then you’ll be there
That’s why I want you to
Believe in yourself
Right from the start
Believe in the magic
Right there in your heart
Go ahead believe all these things
Not because I told you to
But believe in yourself
If you believe in yourself
Just believe in yourself
As I believe in you 

No thank you.  I'll believe God instead.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 37

I'd like to share a few quotes from "Come Away My Beloved" that blessed me today.

I am aware of your needs and will provide in abundance, but it is for my glory and honor and I will  have praise.  You will tread lightly and not allow your feet to be ensnared in the net of undue concern for the things about you.  They are mine, just as all things are mine and you are mine and I am more interested in you than in things.  Likewise, I want you occupied with Me rather than my gifts.  You will be my mouthpiece in places where there are no other voices to be heard.

You will magnify my name in a dark corner.

You will not allow your foot to be bogged down in the mire of earthly cares and riches.

Thank you Lord for speaking so clearly to your people.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 30

Only 10 days left...  It's been quite a journey!

I've been seeking God about the matter of needs vs. wants.  I've heard over and over that God meets our needs not necessarily our wants.  As I wrote in a previous post, I'm asking the Holy Spirit to redefine "need".  I haven't given myself permission to enjoy some things in life.  I am very frugal, and simple.  Yet, I love beauty--beautiful art, beautiful music, beautiful homes, beautiful hairstyles, beautiful clothes, etc.,etc.  Somehow, because the world prostitutes beauty, I've not allowed myself to enjoy more beauty in my life.  Because there are children starving and dying around the world, does that mean I can't enjoy life?  I've started feeling a bit guilty about spending money on luxuries since I could give that money to help the poor.  That's not God's way.

The Holy Spirit is revealing the truth.  He's teaching me that I don't have to choose between feeding the poor and enjoying his gifts.  He's El-Shaddai, the inexhaustible source of EVERY good and perfect gift.  So He has enough to take care of ALL  of His children and care for the poor.  As I think of Israel, God told them continually to care for the poor, but He also promised that they would live in abundance.  They were to enjoy the land of milk and honey.  God prepared this place for them.

The problem is that we like to worship the gifts, instead of the Gift-giver.  It doesn't matter if it's a spiritual gift, or a physical gift.  We so quickly make life all about getting the gift, and keeping the gift.  Our eyes become fixed on the gift or gifts, and our hearts become devoted to it.  There's also this flesh to contend with.  It continually rises up so that it may be pleased.  Eating is a necessity.  A desire created by God to nourish our bodies.  It's good to eat.  And God gave us taste buds, and He gave food flavor, and scents so that we can enjoy the process of nourishing our bodies.  Yet, when our flesh masters us in the area of eating, we're unable to say "no" to food that we shouldn't eat or when we've had too much.  This is a sin.  We become a slave to anything that masters us.  And anything that masters us, apart of God, will destroy us.  God came to give us never-ending, abundant life.

1 corinthians 10

 ²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 

1 Corinthians 6

 ¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 

A  person who has the right perspective can give all that He's been given freely and generously 1) He knows where the gifts came from, and there is plenty more that the Father willingly gives to His children.  God's children will never do without anything that is needed.  Again, need has to be defined.  As one of God's children, I'm learning to defer my understanding to my Father who is perfect in His wisdom.  Sometimes, I need manna. Sometimes, I need to enjoy some fried crawfish!   2) It is an offering back to our God.  If we really understood the beauty and majesty of our God, we would willingly give back to Him every gift as an act of praise to Him.  Oh, Lord, open my eyes that I might see.

I think this struggle of enjoying God's gift, and being a generous giver, may be a constant struggle for me.  In some ways, I think that's good, because it means I'm  paying attention. On the other hand, I really want to live this out in peace--resting in His grace.  Actually, I can rest in His grace even as I strive to live this out.  I will fail, erroring in one direction or the other.  Yet, I desire to please Him.  He knows this.  And I am confident that His grace is fully sufficient for me.  I thank you for that, my God.

I was reading today about Amy Carmichael.  I was so encouraged to read that often she struggled in prayer, and she was a woman of GREAT PRAYER.  She struggled that her motives may not be pure.  (None are, really) She sometimes resisted asking the Father, feeling like the request was wrong to ask.  And yet, in one instance the Holy Spirit rebuked her for desiring something and not asking.  But she quickly learned the lessons that the Spirit taught.  Once she knew that God was guiding her to ask  for something, she persisted in asking until it was received.  Often she asked that God would confirm if a desire was from Him, with a sign.

Perhaps I'm making this too complicated.  I tend to do that.  Perhaps it's as simple as going to our Father with our needs (real or perceived) and desires, and releasing it into His hands.  Simply, trusting.  Asking that He would confirm our asking so we know whether we should persist in asking.  And then wait on Him to guide us to the answer.  So easily said.  So difficult at times to live out.  help me Holy Spirit!  Help me.

It is much simpler to live out as I live my life in a continual dialogue with Him.  I know that He led me to ask for a dishwasher, for it really wasn't even something on my radar.  And then after asking, He granted my request.  And I give praise to my God who supplies ALL things for His children.!!!!

1 Timothy 6

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 21

Did lots of creative writing this morning.  I'll post some of it in another posting.

This morning my pastor said something that simply spoke to my heart:

It is God's desire that we would live in the present world like we will live in the world to come. 

You might have to ponder and pray over  that for a while. 

I was confronted again with my "poverty mentality".  Oh how I want to live like a daughter of the King.  Because I AM the daughter of THE KING!  Holy Spirit, teach me how to live in this truth.  Help me to believe.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 19

   Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

If God is able to do immeasurable more than I ask (exceedingly, abundantly more!), why do I ask so little of Him?  My sights are too often too low.

Father help me to ask you for greater things--higher things--those things which fulfill your immense plans and purposes for our lives.  Help me to trust you more.  More than I ever have.  Let me rest soundly in your loving care.  Help me to have full confidence that YOU WILL TAKE care of us--of every need.  Help me Lord. Help me.

Just recently, the Holy Spirit has given me a special gift.  His gifts are amazing, and often surprising.  They are given when we least expect them, and I've decided to receive every gift He wants to give me.  I know I cannot manipulate Him into giving me gifts.  I am absolutely in awe, that my Lord loves me so much as to give me another gift.  He's blessed me so lavishly already.  I have so, so much, and here He comes with arm full of gifts again.  Let me tell you, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning.  I'm so enjoying His gifts to me.  Each one is so perfect for me, so special, so beautiful...  Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to be in the family of God.  Thank you for sending me your Spirit, and thank you for ALL of the gifts.  Amen. and Amen.

Oh by the way, just in case your wondering...

I've been given the gift of a greater sense of God's presence and power.  I can literally feel His presence--physically.  I've also been given the gift of tongues.  I feel like a two year old trying to talk, and I guess I am.  This is all so new and unexpected.  So unexpected.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 16

Just a couple of things to share today:

I was praying with my friend Sue Cleaver recently.  She said something that was so profound, and it made me smile Big Time!  She said that if God dumped everything he had on a person, God would turn around and find that He still has EVERYTHING.  I love that!  God can give extravagantly, abundantly, lavishly and His supply is never diminished one bit!  And He is my Father.

I truly want to live knowing that I'm the beloved child of the King of the Universe, of El Shaddai-- the one who is the inexhaustible supply of every good and perfect gift.  He says that he withholds no good thing from us.  NO GOOD THING!  He also promises to provide ALL of our need from HIS GLORIOUS RICHES in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19), not my assets.  Praise God for that!

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

So when there is a need, there's no need to worry, to get frustrated, or to try to figure out how we're going to take care of our own need.  We can live like Jesus lived.  He never worried about how he would eat, where he would sleep, or even how to pay His taxes.  He was confident that His Father knew His needs and would take care of every single need.  The only time I ever read of Jesus being hungry was when he was fasting--intentionally.  And scripture never says that Jesus had a job!  We always read him eating at someone's house, or staying at someone's house.  He even commissioned his followers to do the same.

Luke 10: 4- 7 ] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.  LK 10:5 "When you enter a house, first say, `Peace to this house.' [6] If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Later Jesus gives them permission to save, and carry what they needed.  By that time, His disciples understood the lesson that Jesus was teaching them.  Our Heavenly Father will take perfect care of you, and meet EVERY SINGLE NEED from His supply, not ours.  

  LK 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"
    "Nothing," they answered.
LK 22:36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

He supplies our through jobs, savings, friends, families, strangers--through a myriad of means.  God is creative and He often surprises us with His means of provision.

My oldest daughter needs braces.  After a consultation yesterday, I realized that braces are about $4000--and that's with insurance.  That's definitely NOT in our budget!  Our income can't support the monthly payments either. So what do we do?  Well, I'll tell you my normal response.  Frustration. Hopelessness. Or dismiss this need as a luxury and go without.  God is teaching me how to respond as His child.  We're bringing this need to the Father who has amply resources to take care of this need.  Does that mean that I'm not being a good steward of what He's given us?  No.  But we're not perfect either.  It means that we ask, and wait for His provision.  I'm looking for His answer, and trying not to be closed minded about His ways of providing.  But I'm NOT taking matters into my own hands.  I'm not using credit or putting our family in some financial bind, because I'm trying to meet a need with the resources we can SEE.  And I'm not trying to make His provision come at MY TIME.  He is all-wise, and He knows when the time is right.

I'll just wait for Him.